| *O. Gordon Brewer, Jr. *Herman J. Fry *Lincoln Roden, III
Legends video series: Heidelberg CC's John Guenther, Jr.Heidelberg CC’s John Guenther, Jr. is the latest player to be profiled in the Golf Association of Philadelphia “Legends” video series. Guenther, of Wyomissing, Pa., has crossed every item off the ultimate golf bucket list. Win a Major Championship? Done, and then some. Play all four rounds of a U.S. Open Championship? Check. Design and build a golf course? Check. Play with famous golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Chic Evans, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Art Wall? Check. Guenther even won a Toyota Highlander in a Hole-in-One contest. In the Association realm, Guenther, 76, found significant success at the amateur, administrative and senior levels. He won the 1960 Patterson Cup by carding a 142 at Aronomink GC and The Springhaven Club. Later that year, Guenther, the No. 1 seed, won the Amateur Championship by defeating Lincoln Roden, III of Huntingdon Valley CC, 2&1, on Roden’s home course. Those achievements gave Guenther his first Silver Cross Award. In 1963, Guenther drifted away from amateur golf to become Moselem Springs GC’s first general manager. He also was instrumental in the course’s construction. In 1967, Guenther designed, built and founded Heidelberg CC in Bernville, Pa. He sold the club in 1988, but remains a life member at both Heidelberg and Moselem Springs. Guenther then returned to competitive golf, this time at the senior level. Success followed. In 1990, he defeated Allan Sussel of Squires GC in a playoff at Old York Road CC to win the Association’s Senior Amateur Championship. Two years, Guenther edged another illustrious player, O. Gordon Brewer, Jr. of Pine Valley GC, in a playoff, this time at Commonwealth National GC, to take the title. Today, Guenther plays golf regularly, often with his wife Pat. He plans to participate in an Association tournament this season, officially making it his eighth decade in golf. The “Legends” video series features prominent local players recalling their experiences and accomplishments both on and off the golf course. This is the fourth installment in the series. O. Gordon Brewer, Jr. of Pine Valley GC, Herman J. Fry of Reading CC and Lincoln Roden, III of Huntingdon Valley CC have also been profiled. Click to view Part I, Part II and Part III. The interview is also available on the Association's You Tube channel.
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A Walk Through Time
GAP is the oldest state or regional golf association in the country. It started courtesy of a friendly competition – the Team Matches – and has grown into the preeminent golf association in the country. Along the way, golf history has been made.
